Application no. 20/P2095

Ward: Hillside

Recommendation: GRANT Planning Permission subject to conditions and S106 Agreement

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P2095 be GRANTED planning permission subject s106 agreement and to conditions.

Proposal: Erection of first and second floor extension in connection with creation of two self-contained flats (2 x 2 bedroom)

The Committee noted the report and the plans presented by the Development Control Team Leader (North). The Committee also noted the modification sheet contained in the supplementary agenda.

An objector had registered to speak to the proposed scheme, and at the request of the Chair, had raised a number of points, including:

·         the development comprises seven or eight industrial units, with some in industrial use and three or four were under development providing residential accommodation. The development was deemed to be massive and this had a huge impact on the local resident on Elm Grove;

·         there were limited car parking spaces provided on the site; no access limited vehicle provided, this would potentially cause  big problem with

parking and deliveries;

·         there were no space for bin or cycle storage provided;

·         the development being build would potentially have a poor outlook to the area.

The applicant’s agent had registered to speak and at the request of the Chair addressed the Committee with the following points:

·         with regard to overlooking and privacy, the proposed two flats were an extension to an existing building, the nearest residential buildings that look towards the site would be an oblique angle. The closest window of this development was 31 meters from houses on Bail houses. The closest gardens in Elm Grove was 45 meters from the proposal and Bail houses. This would not cause unacceptable overlooking to any residential properties or their immediate amenity spaces;

·         the proposal was not over development, both flats exceed minimum space standards for two bedroom dwellings by a significant margin and all the rooms also exceeded the standards,  the flats would have large windows and which would receive plenty of natural daylight;

·         the development also had amenity spaces that were well in excess of the minimum standards and there was adequate space provided for bin and cycle storage;

·         with regard to parking, the proposed flats would be car free, this would be enforced by a legal agreement which would prevent residents obtaining parking permits for the adjacent roads. The site had a relatively low petal rating and was within walking distance and cycling distance of Wimbledon town centre and its station. It was also close to local bus stops, nonetheless two cycle spaces would be provided for each flat.

In the ensuing debate, Members’ raised a number of points including:

·         that the proposed development did not provide affordable housing scheme;

·         Members requested for condition to be added with regards to cycle and refuse collection arrangements;

·         Members sought clarification if there were any restrictions applied with regards to the maximum vehicle size along the road;

·         It was noted that there were no pavements providing for residents to walk;

·         A members asked if residents where protected whilst the construction work was being carried out

The Committee requested that two conditions be included: for the installation of adequate street light; and for footpath installation linking the site with the Elm Grove road.

The Chair moved to the vote on the officer’s recommendation with the addition of the two conditions above and it was

RESOLVED that the application number 20/P2095 be GRANTED planning permission subject s106 agreement and to conditions.